Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has denied reports suggesting that he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that his recent comments were misrepresented and taken out of context amid political developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Tuggar sought to dispel speculation of a rift with the President, reaffirming his loyalty to Tinubu and support for the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The clarification followed reactions to a Hausa-language interview in which Tuggar discussed internal political issues within the APC in Bauchi State. Parts of the interview circulated on social media and were interpreted by some as criticism of the President.
“Our attention has been drawn to various interpretations and misrepresentations of remarks made by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs during a recent interview conducted in the Hausa language,” the statement said.
It added: “For the avoidance of doubt, Ambassador Tuggar did not criticize or question President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in any way. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and a deliberate distortion of his remarks.”
Tuggar explained that his comments were directed at concerns over internal party democracy and candidate selection within the APC in Bauchi State, where political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election are already gaining momentum.
At the centre of the controversy is an apparent disagreement over the management of the APC governorship nomination process in the state.
The former minister expressed reservations about what he described as attempts by Professor Muhammad Ali Pate to influence the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate, arguing that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through an open contest before delegates.
According to him, the strength and future of the APC depend on transparent, competitive and credible internal elections that give party members the freedom to choose their preferred candidates.
He maintained that all aspirants interested in contesting should be given a level playing field and an opportunity to seek the support of party delegates without undue interference.
Tuggar also referenced President Tinubu’s directive requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign within the stipulated period, noting that anyone interested in contesting remained free to comply with the directive and pursue political ambitions through established party procedures.
While acknowledging the ongoing debate, Tuggar stressed that his intervention was intended to strengthen the APC rather than create divisions within the party.
He warned that unresolved grievances and perceptions of unfairness could undermine party cohesion and urged the APC leadership to uphold the principles of justice, inclusion and internal democracy.
The statement further emphasised that his loyalty to President Tinubu remains unwavering even as he advocates reforms aimed at strengthening the party’s internal democratic processes.
Micheal Olugbode
